attenuation

noun | \ ə-ˌten-yu̇-ˈwā-shən \ | at·ten·u·a·tion

1. : a lessening of the amount, force, or magnitude of something; specifically : a weakening of the connection between an illegal police procedure and the evidence obtained by it such that the evidence is admissible at trial as an exception to the exclusionary rule : a weakening of the connection between an illegal police procedure and the evidence obtained by it such that the evidence is admissible at trial as an exception to the exclusionary rule